Memphis enters 2026-27 in a full post-Morant rebuild, headlined by No. 3 overall pick Cameron Boozer and a roster that has completely turned over since trading away Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson, and finally Ja Morant.

This Memphis Grizzlies 2026-27 season preview breaks down every major storyline entering the year: the team's 2026 NBA Draft picks, its free agency and trade-driven roster overhaul, the Cameron Boozer-led rebuild and projected starting lineup, updated Vegas win total and championship odds, and Grizzlies fantasy basketball analysis on the players who matter most heading into DFS and season-long drafts. This is the first Memphis season since 2018-19 without Ja Morant on the opening-night roster, closing the book on an era and opening a new one built around Boozer, Zach Edey, Ty Jerome, and Cedric Coward.

Grizzlies 2026-27 Season at a Glance

CategoryDetails
2025-26 Record25-57
2025-26 FinishMissed playoffs
2026-27 Win Total28.5 (BetMGM)
Championship Odds+75000
2026 Draft PicksNo. 3, No. 21
Biggest AdditionCameron Boozer (No. 3 pick)
Key PlayerCameron Boozer
Fantasy Player to WatchZach Edey

Memphis' 28.5 win total is among the lowest in the league, reflecting a team in the early stages of a full rebuild, while the Grizzlies' +75000 championship odds put a clear timeline on when this young core is expected to contend.

 

 

 

2026 NBA Draft: Grizzlies' Picks and Fits

Memphis entered the 2026 NBA Draft with a top-three pick for the first time since Ja Morant went No. 2 in 2019, a direct result of a 25-win season. The front office also engineered a pair of draft-night trades, moving down twice from an original No. 16 slot and turning that single pick into both an extra first-rounder and five future second-round picks.

PickPlayerPositionSchool2026-27 ImpactNotes
No. 3 (1st Rd)Cameron BoozerPF/CDukeImmediate starterNational Player of the Year after averaging 22.5 PPG, 10.2 RPG, and 4.1 APG as a freshman; son of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer and viewed as the safest prospect in the class.
No. 21 (1st Rd, via trade)Karim LopezSFNew Zealand BreakersFrontcourt depthMexican forward and the highest-rated international prospect in the class; averaged 11.9 PPG and 6.1 RPG on 50/33/72 shooting splits in the NBL.

Memphis traded down from No. 16 to No. 17 with Oklahoma City, then from No. 17 to No. 21 with Detroit, netting five additional second-round picks in the process, some of which were later flipped again to acquire center Isaiah Stewart from the Pistons.

Key Free Agent Departures

Memphis' offseason story wasn't free agency losses so much as a full roster teardown that culminated in trading away its franchise point guard. The most significant subtraction:

Player2025-26 Role2026-27 StatusImpact
Ja MorantStarting PGTraded to PortlandMajor

Morant was dealt to the Trail Blazers for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray in a trade that included no draft capital, the final domino in a roster reset that began with the Desmond Bane trade to Orlando and the Jaren Jackson trade to Utah earlier in the rebuild.

 

 

 

Key Free Agent Acquisitions and Re-Signings

PlayerTermsTypeFantasy/Roster Impact
Isaiah StewartVia trade (from Detroit)Trade acquisitionVeteran frontcourt toughness added behind Edey and Boozer, acquired using draft capital netted from the earlier trade-downs.
Jerami GrantVia trade (from Portland)Trade acquisitionVeteran scoring wing acquired as part of the Ja Morant deal; gives Memphis a stopgap veteran presence on an otherwise very young roster.
Kris MurrayVia trade (from Portland)Trade acquisitionYoung forward depth also acquired in the Morant trade, though he is among the players at risk in Memphis' September roster crunch.
Jordan HawkinsVia trade (from New Orleans)Trade acquisitionAcquired September 8 along with Micah Peavy and picks, sending AJ Johnson and Taj Gibson to New Orleans; adds scoring punch to a crowded backcourt.

Major Roster Moves and Projected Starting Lineup

Memphis is now over the regular-season roster limit at 19 guaranteed contracts, a direct result of taking on money in trades built to acquire draft capital or move on from Morant. A September 8 trade with New Orleans, sending out AJ Johnson and Taj Gibson for Jordan Hawkins, Micah Peavy, and draft compensation, only added to the crunch. Reports indicate Memphis must waive four players from a group that includes D'Angelo Russell, Micah Peavy, Kris Murray, Jordan Hawkins, and Walter Clayton to reach the 15-man limit, with Russell viewed as the most likely to be released or bought out given he doesn't have a clear role on the roster. Per early reports, Memphis has no intention of carrying Russell on its active roster, and he is expected to be either traded or released before the regular season begins. On the court, Boozer and Edey project as the long-term starting frontcourt, giving Memphis a clear building block up front.

Projected Starters

PositionPlayer
PGTy Jerome
SGJaylen Wells
SFCedric Coward
PFCameron Boozer
CZach Edey

Bench Rotation

This group is likely to change before opening night given Memphis' roster crunch, but the frontcourt pairing of Boozer and Edey, alongside second-year wing Cedric Coward, gives the Grizzlies a clear young core to build the rotation around.

 

 

 

Grizzlies Biggest Fantasy Questions

Can Zach Edey Stay Healthy for a Full Season?

Edey played just 11 games in 2025-26 but was dominant when on the floor, averaging 13.6 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks. His fantasy ceiling as a double-double machine is obvious; the question is purely about games played after such a limited sample last season.

How Quickly Does Cameron Boozer Produce as a Rookie?

Boozer was viewed as the safest bet in a loaded 2026 draft class, and his college production (22.5/10.2/4.1) suggests an immediate-impact rookie season. Playing alongside Edey rather than needing to anchor the frontcourt himself should ease his transition to the NBA.

Can Ty Jerome Prove His Efficient 2025-26 Was Real?

Jerome was one of the most efficient guards in basketball whenever he played last season, but a calf injury limited him to just 15 games. If he can stay on the floor for a full season at anywhere close to that level of production, he gives Memphis a legitimate lead guard to build around in Morant's absence.

Grizzlies Fantasy Basketball 2026-27: Key Players to Know

Four Grizzlies fantasy players carry meaningful weight into 2026-27 drafts, with health and a crowded roster as the dominant storylines for a team in transition.

Cameron Boozer Fantasy Outlook

  • 2026-27 ADP: 89.5
  • Position: PF
  • 2025-26 Stats: N/A (rookie, 22.5 PPG at Duke)
  • Fantasy Outlook: Immediate-impact rookie
  • What to Watch: Early-season usage and role definition

Boozer enters the league as the most polished prospect in a loaded 2026 draft class, praised for his high basketball IQ and elite passing for a big man. Pairing with Edey rather than needing to anchor the frontcourt alone should smooth his transition, and his well-rounded scoring, rebounding, and playmaking profile gives him a real path to a strong Rookie of the Year case.

Zach Edey Fantasy Outlook

  • 2026-27 ADP: 97.0
  • Position: C
  • 2025-26 Stats: 13.6 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 1.9 BPG (11 games)
  • Fantasy Outlook: Elite per-game upside, major health risk
  • What to Watch: Games played after a lost 2025-26 season

Edey was a dominant per-game producer whenever healthy in 2025-26, but a limited 11-game sample keeps his ADP in a discounted range. If he stays on the floor, his combination of rebounding and shot-blocking gives him top-75 upside as a true center in a league increasingly light on true bigs.

Cedric Coward Fantasy Outlook

  • 2026-27 ADP: 118.0
  • Position: SF/SG
  • 2025-26 Stats: 13.6 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 2.8 APG, 47.1 FG%
  • Fantasy Outlook: Ascending young wing
  • What to Watch: Continued usage growth in year two

Coward finished fifth in Rookie of the Year voting after a strong debut season, starting 47 of 62 games and flashing scoring, rebounding, and playmaking versatility on the wing. With Morant gone and the offense opening up for younger pieces, Coward is well-positioned for a real second-year leap.

Ty Jerome Fantasy Outlook

  • 2026-27 ADP: 120.0
  • Position: PG/SG
  • 2025-26 Stats: 19.7 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 5.7 APG, 1.1 SPG (15 games)
  • Fantasy Outlook: Boom-or-bust efficiency play
  • What to Watch: Health after a calf injury limited him to 15 games

Jerome signed a three-year deal after finishing third in Sixth Man of the Year voting with Cleveland, then delivered a stunningly efficient 15-game debut in Memphis on 47/42/88 shooting splits before a calf injury cut his season short. With Morant gone and the starting job up for grabs, a full healthy season at even a fraction of that efficiency would make him one of the better values at his current ADP.

 

 

 

Grizzlies Fantasy Sleepers & Breakouts

Grizzlies Fantasy Sleeper

Ty Jerome: Buried on the depth chart behind name-value guards for most of his career, Jerome quietly turned in one of the most efficient per-game stat lines in the league last season before injury cut it short. At an ADP of 120.0, a full, healthy season as Memphis' new starting point guard would make him one of the best value picks in the entire draft pool.

Grizzlies Fantasy Breakout Candidate

Zach Edey: Edey's rookie-year dominance was undeniable whenever he was on the floor, but a lost, 11-game 2025-26 season kept his name out of the breakout conversation. With Boozer now arriving to share the frontcourt load rather than compete for it, a healthy Edey has a clear runway to the double-double numbers he flashed in limited action, making him a strong bet to outproduce his ADP of 97.0 if he stays on the floor.

Data via NBA.com, ESPN, Yahoo Sports, Hoops Rumors, Spotrac, BetMGM, RotoWire, and Basketball Reference. Odds and win totals reflect lines as of mid-September 2026 and are subject to change.